#24# Temple # Nandi temple (Western Group of Temples)

 11) Nandi temple

Directly opposite the Vishvanatha Temple, facing each other and sharing the same plinth, is the small open Nandi Temple. Housed within is a beautifully carved statue of the bull Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle.

The colossal Nandi statue, 2.2m long and 1.8m high, is set within an open square pavilion resting on twelve pillars. Note how the Nandi Statue and the lingam in the Vishvanatha Temple are in perfect alignment.

The exterior of the temple has some nice carved images on the temple walls, and some finely carved elephant and lion statues on either side of the two sets of stairs leading up to the shared platform.

12) Lalguan Mahadev temple

Located on the bank of Lalguan Sagar Lake, 600m west of Chausath Yogini Temple, Lalguan Mahadeva is the least visited and most remote temple in the western group at Khajuraho.

Dedicated to Shiva and facing west, its modest plan is similar to the Brahma Temple, although here only the sanctum remains as the porch is now missing. The doorway is plain apart from a diamond carved on the sill.

The Lalguan Mahadeva belongs to a transitional phase in temple building at Khajuraho, when sandstone was being introduced but granite had not ceased to be used. From this and other architectural elements, the temple has been dated to around 900 A.D, slightly later than the Chausath Yogini Temple.

There’s a path from Chausath Yogini across a few fields to reach Lalguan Mahadeva. It’s not a straightforward route, so to ensure you are heading in the right direction you may need to ask some locals.